Kneeling or foot bench



(No Model.)

H. J. ONEIL. KNEELING 0R FOOT BENOH.

No. 544,112. Patented Aug. 6,1895.-

WITNESSES: INVENTOR M cfllfi K BY yp UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HUGH J. ONEIL, OF ROCHESTER, NEXN YORK.

KNEELING 0R FOOT BENCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 544,112, dated August 6, 1895.

Application filed April 12, 1894. Serial No. 507,250. (No model.)

To wZZ whom itmay concern:

Be it knownthat I, HUGH J. ONEIL, of

Rochester, in the county of Monroe, in the user when kneeling, and has for its object the production of a simple device which is noiseless in operation and is highly practical and effective in use; and to thisend it con-1 sists essentially in an upright or standard and a substantially horizontal bar or strip having an intermediate portion thereof pivoted to the upright or standard and combined with a grooved attaching-piece, all as hereinafter more particularly described, and pointed out in the claim.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views. I

Figure 1 is an elevation, and Fig. 2 an end view, partly in section, of my improved bench or support, its supporting bar .or strip being illustrated in operative position. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a topplan view of a portion of the supporting bar or strip of my invention. 7

A A represent the uprights or standards of my improved bench or support, and B a supporting bar or strip mounted thereon. I preferably use a suitable number of the uprights or standards A, and at Fig. 1 have illustrated the opposite ends and the intermediate portion of the bar or strip B as provided therewith.

The supports A are preferably of similar construction, and are each provided with an upright arm at, having its upper extremity ct arranged at one side or in front of its lower extremity a and provided with supporting are secured to the faces tr ct and project outwardly therefrom, being preferably mounted in sockets in said faces. I

The bar or strip B mounted on the uprights or standards A is of any desirable form, size, and construction, but preferably consists of a lower section 1), formed of wood or other suitable material, and an upper section or facing b, secured in any desired manner to the lower section b. The facing b may consist of a strip of carpet or upholstered material, or may be dispensed with entirely, if desired.

D represents the pivot for connecting one of the uprights or standards A with the corresponding portion of the bar or strip B, and, as clearly seen 'at Fig. 2, the pivot D is arranged between the opposite longitudinal edges of the bar or strip B in closer proximity to its rear edge than its opposite edge. The pivot D is preferably connected to the opposite' leaves of a hinge (1, having oneleaf secured by suitable fastening means a to the standard or upright A and its opposite leaf suitably secured to the adjacent portion of the strip or bar B.

When in its operative position the strip or bar B is arranged, as indicated at Figs. 1 and 2, with the outer face of its facing b disposed, in substantially a horizontal plane and the outer face of its section b resting upon the yielding engaging-piece G, and, when swung when my improved bench or support is used 9 in the pews of churches and similar buildings.

In order to additionally support the bar or strip B when in its operative position, I provide the rear edge of its upper face with a series of engaging faces E,-movable toward and away from stop-shou1ders A, formed upon the uprights or standards A. The faces E are preferably formed by so constructing the facing b as to expose portions of the upper face of the section b of the bar or strip B, and the stop-shoulders A consist of laterally-extending arms formed upon the upper ends of upright arms A projecting from the base of the uprights or standards A. The shoulders A are preferably arranged above the correspondin g faces a and are provided with yielding engaging pieces A projecting beyond the the lower faces thereof and mounted in sockets a in said faces. The arms A as clearly seen at Fig. 2, are separated from the arms a, and cut-outs A extending downwardly from the faces a are interposed between the arms a A As the bar or strip 13 assumes its operative position its inner or back edge moves toward the stop -shoulders A into contact with the yielding engaging pieces A without producing perceptible noise, and the bar or strip is thus firmly held in its operative position, even though subjected to considerable strain. Each attaching-piece is formed with a guide 9 and with upper and lower walls g 9 the upper wall g being provided with a lengthwise slot g through which the corresponding upright or standard A projects. The lower extremity of said upright or standard A is provided with laterally-extending projections or ribs a a movable in the guide 9 between its upper and lower walls 9' Suitable clamps H, here indicated as screws, are passed through the uprights or standards A and engage the upper face of the lower wall g of the corresponding attaching-pieces G, as clearly seen at Fig. 3, for firmly holding said uprights or standards in their adjusted position. The attaching-pieces G are held in position in any suitable manner, and, if desired, may be provided with ears G for e11- gaging screws or similar fastening means, un necessary to herein illustrate or describe.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood upon reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, and it is evident that the supporting bar or strip of the bench or support is readily tilted or rocked backwardly for facilitating movement within and entrance to the pew provided therewith, and is quickly returned to its operative position when desired, that the uprights or standards for said bar or strip are readily moved lengthwise of their attaching-pieces when not desired to use the bench or support, and that the device is simple, noiseless in operation, and highly durable and ellicient.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a kneeling bench and foot rest, the double standard A, A suitably separated at its upper ends, combined with the bar 13 hinged to the top of the standard A, and the base G, in

which the standard is slidingly placed; the bar being provided with an extension on its rear edge, and adapted to be changed from a horizontal to a vertical position, and the upper end of the standard A being provided with an extension upon its top which practically forms a portion of the kneeling surface of the bar, when in a horizontal position, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Rochester, in the county of Monroe, in the State of New York, this 18th day of January, 189%.

IIUGII J. ONEIL.

Witnesses:

CLARK II. NORTON, E. A. Wursnune. 

